kohler



I Feb. 3, 1931. u KOHLER 1,791,451

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING STAMPED IMPRESSIONS, MARKS, AND THE LIKE FiledJan. 12 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb; 3, 1931. u. KOHLER 1,791,451

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING STAMPED IMPRESSIONS, MARKS, AND THE LIKE FiledJan. 12, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 u. KOHLER 1,791,451

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING S'IAIIPED IMPRESSIONS, IARKS, AND THE LIKE Feb. 3,1931-.

.' File d Jan. 12 1929 4 Sheet s-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 3, 1931 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE ULRICH KOHLER, OF BERN, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR TOHASLER A.-G. VORMAIJS TELEGRAPHENWEBKSTKTTE VON G. HASLEB, OF BERN,SWITZERLAND, A SWISS CORPORATION macnnm r03 rnonucmo s'rmnn mrnnssrons,mums, Am: mm LIKE Application filed January 12,1929, Serial No.

This invention relates to a machine for producingstamped impressions ormarks of v the kind wherein a rotary printing member has in a peripheralaperture a currenc 5 value stamp comprising individually ad ustabletypes representing numbers, and a rotary counting device outside it.

According to the invention a set of cams is provided on the periphery ofthe said printing member for transmitting at each revolution of thelatter the value set thereon to the counting mechanism, which cams areoperatively connected each with a setting member for each lace value tobe set, and at each revolution 0 the printing member shift,corresponding to the magnitude of the value in question, each a toothedrack arranged to drive a numeral disc of the counter in only onedirection, the transference of the tens from one numeral disc to thenext being efi'ccted separately by means of an auxiliary or second feeddevice controlled by the printing member.

When the rotary printing member is formed as a hollow cylindercontaining rods or bars which extend lengthwise therein and carrynumeral types displaceable in their longitudinal and transversedirection, each place value of each of which types can be set in thesaid aperture of the printing cylinder, according to a feature of theinvention the setting members for the types of each place value areslides movable along the said bars, which slides when being moved coacteach with a lever which is operatively connected by a transverse slideextending through the wall of the cylinder with one of a plurality ofcams arranged adj ustably on the periphery of the printing cylinder, sothat by shifting the first-mentioned longitudinally movable slides thelift of the cams is varied corresponding to the magnitude of thedisplacement of the latter slides.

According to another feature of the inven- 4-i tion toothed racksserving for rotating the numbered discs of the counters are controlledin such a manner by the printing cylinder by means of levers, thatduring one revolution of the cylinder they are (a) engaged twice withthe counter discs for causing the 332,O83,-and in Switzerland January16, 1928.

latter to be rotated by the said came on the cylinder and forsubsequently transferring the tens by means ofother cams of thecylinder, and (b) disengaged twice therefrom for permitting them toreturn into their initial position.

According to a further feature of the invention, the toothed racks havelongitudinal slots, in each of which engages one arm of an angle leveractuated by a cam on the printing cylinder, the other arm of which leverso controls a locking'device of the allotted counter disc that, when thetoothed rack is disengaged, the said disc is held against rotation and,when the rack is engaged, is released.

According to yet another feature of the invention it is arranged thatfor subsequently transferring the tens from one counter disc to thenext, the counter discs are so set at each revolution by a setting pawlor tumbler that is operatively connected with the toothed rack of thenext disc, in relation to a lever that is controlled by the printingcylinder and serves to actuate said rack, that the latter is shifted onetooth by the said lever by means of the setting pawl or tumbler, wherebythe feed of the following discs takes place in succession.

One embodiment of the invention is diagrammatically illustrated by wayof example in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is alongitudinal section through a machine according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan thereof, with the base and cylinder casing removed inpart,

Figure 3 is a section, enlarged, taken on the line III-III in Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line IV-IV in Figure 1,

Figure 5 shows a single numeral disc on an enlarged scale,

Figures 6 and 7 are sections taken onthe line VI]VI in Figure 1 showingthefeed device in two diflerent positions,'and

Figures 8 and 9 are sections taken onthe line VIII-VIII in Figure 1showing the counter driving-mechanism in two difierent positions.

Like reference characters designate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the drawing, a horizontal hollow printing cylinder 2 isjournaled on a base portion 1 of the casing by means of a stub axle 3 ina bearing 4 at one end and an annulus 5 at the other. So many pairs ofrods or bars 8 have their rear ends pivoted one beside another on anaxle 7 common to them all mounted in the (rear) end wall 6 of thecylinder 2 as the hereinafter described value stamp has place values,namely in the present example live. The pairs of bars 8 extend withinthe cylinder to its front end where they are carried by bracket 9 havinga handle 12 extending through a slot 11 in the front wall of thecylinder 2. Between the bars of each pair of bars 8 is movable a set often types 13 for printing numerals. For shifting the entire set of typesthere extend in front of and behind the same and between the bars 8 ofeach pair two arms 15 of a setting slider 16, the two arms of a sliderbeing connected together by a pair of bars 14:, as

shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Each type 13 has a slot 17 into which enters aguide pin 18 fast in the pair of bars 14, so that when the pairs of bars14 are moved upwards the types 13 are driven away from the-wall of thecylinder.

At the front end each setting slider 16 carries a setting lever 20mounted to rock about a horizontal axle 19. The free ends of theselevers extend each into a longitudinal slot 21 of the cylinder 2, butnormally only so far that they do not project beyond the periphery ofthe latter. In order to engage the levers 20 and to shift the slides 16by means of them for setting any one of the types 13 in relation to anaperture 22 in the cylinder 2, tl e bars 8 must be moved upwards by thehandle 12. A presser 23 is movable longitudinally in the middle of thewheel-shaped handle 12 and at its inner end carries a laterally directedarm 24. lVith the latter there is firmly connected a rod 25 that extendslengthwise in the cylinder 2 and engages under the action of a spring,not shown, in a recess 26, whereof two are arranged one above the otherin the end wall. If the presser 23 is driven inwards the rod 25 isdisengaged from its recess, whereupon the handle 12 can be set in theupper and men be moved into the lower position. In the upper positionofthe handle 12 the levers 20 extend so far out of the cylinder 2 thatthey can be conveniently gripped, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.Between the bars of each pair of bars 8 there is opposite the aperture22 in the cylinder a stop 27 which is firmly connected. with the saidbars and causes the type 13 under it to enter into the aperture 22 whenthe handle 12 moved downwards, so that the outer end of the type in theaperture 22 is flush with the printing face 28 of the cylinder 2. Inorder that the types 13 can slide readily over the stop 27 serving as anabutment for them when the setting slider 16 is shifted, both the stopand the types are bevelled in front and behind and have slanting faces2'? and 13, respectively.

The types are set exactly in relation to the aperture 22 with the aid ofnotches 29 formed inithe back of each setting slid-er 16., and a pawl 30pressed downwards by a spring 31 on to the slider 16 or into a notch 29therein. All the pawls 3O pivoted on an axle 33 that is common to themall ad has its ends held in side plates 32; Leve" 3 1 are pivoted besidethe pawls 30 on the 1 de and have each a lateral pin 35 engaging in aslanting slot 36 in an allotted setting slider '16. When the latter isshifted endwise the allotted lever '34 is moved upwards more orless,correspondder 2. Each slide 38 is connected an outwardly extendingarm 38"with a transverse cam 10 which has its one end fork-ed and isguided to move transversely of the cylinder 2 on a rod 41 which extendslengtltiwise of the cylinder and is attached thereto. The five cams ll)are equally spaced apart at the cylinder 2 in the direction of itslength. In the path of each cam 10 below the cylinder and lyingtransversely of the latter is a lever 42; these levers are pivot-ed onan axle 13 that is common to them all and are pressed upwards each by aspring 1 1-. i

To ensure that all the levers shall lie in their upper end position atexactly the same height, a bar 45 reciprocated up and down by a bellcrank 16 is arrang d below them. F or actuating this lever 16 it isfirmly con nected with a lever 1'1" carrying an antifriction roller 18that bears under spring pressure on the periphery of a cam fa on theeviinder 2. Each lever 12 carries within reach of the allotted cam 40 anantifriction roller 50 and engages at its free end by means of a lateralpin 51 in a slot 52 of a vertical toothed rack 53.

Owing to the vertical reciprocation of the lever 42 the racks 53 are nved up and down, in each case a shorter longer distance ac cording tothe position of the allotted cam 40. Only the downward movement of thetoothed racks out of their upper end 3: sition is transmitted to twopinions ant. 55. for each rack, which pinions are connected each with anumeral disc 56 and 5'? respectively of two counting devicesarrangzedone above the other. The iipper of these counters serves for renderingvisible the total sum recorded, whilst the lower counter serves forprinting this total on a check strip, not shown, and for this purposehas types on the periph omitted.

cry of its discs. If a double control is not required one of the twocounters may be In order that the upward. movement of the toothed racks53 shall be inoperative on the counters, the racks are disengaged in thelower end position each by a cam 58 by means of a lever59, said cam 58being arranged on the periphery of the cylinder 2. Each lever 59 engagesina recess in a double link 61 which couples together two three-armedle- 1 vers 62 and 63. These levers are freely rotatable each on an axle64 and 65 respectively, which axles enter into slots 66 in the toothedracks 53; The upwardly directed arms of the levers 62 and 63 carryanti-friction rollers 67 situated each in the slot 66 of the allottedtoothed rack. A third arm of each of the lGVcIS 62 and 63, which arearranged one above the other, engages between the numbered discs of thecounters and has an upwardly directed stopor tooth. 68 which, when thetoothed rack is disengaged, as shown in Figure 9, engages in a lockingring (if) of the teeth fast on. the allotted numbered disc and therebylocks the latter against rotation.

When the link 61 moves upwards the levers G2 and 63 are rocked so thattheir upstanding arms throw the racks into engagement with theirpinions, whilst their arms carr ing the teeth 68 release the numeraldiscs. Reverse ly, when the link 61. moves downwards the toothed racksare disengaged from their pinions by the levers 62 and 63 and thenumbered discs are locked. i

In consequence of the individual drive of the first five numeral discsof each counter, corresponding to the highest number of place valuespresent in the printiugcylinder, the tens must he transferred from fournumeral discs, i. e. from the units disc to the tens disc, from this tothe hundreds, from this to the thousands disc and from this to theten-thousands disc with the aid of a second or auxiliary feed devicedescribed hereinafter. The tens are transferred by the other discs eachto the next disc in the manner customary in counting mechanism by meansof intermed Sate toothed wheels. The said second or auriliary teeddevice comprises above the toothed rack for driving the tens discs. herein referred to briefly the tens rack, as well as above the hundreds,thousands and ten-thousands rack. a tumbler or detent 70 which ispivoted at 71 on a lever 73 tulcrumed at 72, and is held by a spring 74against a stop 75. The lower end of each lever 73 lies in the range ofa. cam 76 of the numbered disc of the next lower place value and. ateach revolution of this disc or cam, is so roe red that an upwardlydirected tooth 70 of the tumbler 7 0 arrives in front of a downwardlydirected tooth. 77 of a lever 77 extending over the said tumblen Thefour levers 77 are mounted on an axle 78 common to them all and areconnected eaichby a bail or stirrup 79 to one end of a lever 80.- Theother end of each lever 80 carries an anti-friction roller 81 whichbears against a cam 82 of thecylinder 2 and is so controlled by thelatter-that the allotted lever 77 is moved a distance up and down whichsufllces. after the lever77 has struck the tooth 70 of the tumbler 70under it, to move downwards by means of thelatter the allotted toothedrack a distance equal to one tooth, i. e. one unit of the allottednumeral disc, and to feed the latter one number.

In order thatthe transference of the tens shall take place always in thecorrect order,

ire. from a lower place value to-the numeral disc of the higher placevalue, the four cams 82 are staggered one relatively to another anamount such that the lever 77 of the next higher place value is actuatedonly after the lever of the next lower place value has-been moveddownwards. As the second or auxiliary feed: device for thetransference'of tens must be actuated subsequently to the ordinary feedof the numbered discs by the cams 40,

and'always from the same starting or initial" rock freely downwardswithout striking the tumbler 70 and without effecting a supplementaryfeed of the numeral discs inquestion.

A hollow table 83 is provided for hearing the letter or the like to beprinted, for example impressed with a currency value for franking it,which letter or the like is fed by a roller, not shown, at a suitablemoment to the printing cylinder from below the latter.

The described machine is manipulated and operates, briefly, as followsIn a predetermined position of the printing cylinder 2 and when the bars8 are set in their upper position, the types 13 for effecting theprinting are set at the aperture 22 of the cylinder by means of thelevers 20 extending out of the latter and, when the bars 8 are moveddown wards, are moved into the saidaperture, i. e. into the printingposition. When the types are being set in the printing position the cams40 are set, by means of the levers 34 and slides 38, in a positionrelatively to the cylinder corresponding to the set numeral of the placevalue in question, so that each projects more or less beyond thecylinder. When the cylinder is then turned by hand or by a motor, thetypes and, if desired, a mark-cliche surrounding the same, are providedwith ink by an inking device, not shown, and caused to print a. letteror the like lying on the table 83. During the rotation of the printingcylinder the cams coact with the levers 42 and move these downwards,each according to the position of the allotted cam, against the actionof the springs 44. The toothed racks 53have previously been engaged withthe pinions 54 and 55 by the lever mechanism 59, 61, 62, 63 and aremoved downwards more or less by the levers 42, and they rotate the saidpinions and counter discs a corresponding angular distance. Ifduringthis rotation a numbered disc passes its zero position its cam 76rocks its lever 7 8 and places the tooth 7 0 of the tumbler 7 0 underthe allotted lever 7 7 whose tooth 7 7 prevents the tumbler fromreturning into its normal position. its soon as the toothed racks 53have arrived into their lower position they are disengaged by the cam 58from the pinions 54 and 55, whereupon they are moved under theinfluenceof the springs 44 into the upper position limited by the tumblers 70.The auxiliary or second feed device for transferring the tens thenoperates, beginning with the tens rack anc. ending with theten-thousands rack. Only that toothed rack is moved downwards one tooth,however, whose allotted tumbler 7G for transmitting the downwardmovement of the allotted lever 77 is set on the rack. All the othertoothed racks remain in their upper end positions. After this secondfeed move- .ient and the stamping of the letter or the like have takenplace, the machine is ready for producing a new stamp, mark, impressionor the like, and the described cycle of operations is then repeated.

I claim 1. In a machine of the character described,

the combination of a hollow rotary printing member having an aperture inits periphery, a plurality of numeral printing types therein, a rotarycounting device outside the printing member comprising numbered discs, aplurality of toothed racks allotted each to a said disc for rotating thesame, a plurality of setting members, one for each place value of thecounting device, for selectively setting the types individually inprinting position in said aperture, a plurality of cams on the peripheryof said printing member, one cam allotted to and operatively connectedto each setting member so as to be adjusted thereby corresponding to thevalue of the types at the aperture, means arranged to be actuated ateach revolution of the printing member by said cams and shift said racksso as to rotate the allotted discs in only one direction, and tenstransfer mechanism controlled by said printing member and arranged totransfer the tens from one disc to the next.

In a machine oi: the character described, 1e combination of a hollowrotary printing cylinder having an aperture in its periphery,

a plurality of bars extending lengthwise therein, a plurality of numeraltypes movable along and transversely of said h; s, a rotary countingdevice outside said cylinder comprising a plurality of numbers; dis sallotted each to a. set of types of a p edeterinined place value, aplurality of along said bars, one for for select ely setting the typesit. in printing position in said aperture, a plurality of cams on theperiphery of said print ing cylinder, plurality of transverse slidesthat extend through the wall of the der are connected each to one ofsaid cams .rranszed to vary the lift thereof, a piners each operati elyconnected to d a transverse slide for usting V 1 cams corresponding tothe llClG of nent of the slid r z r means a1 nged to be actu-*Gllliiifiil of said cylinder by 'd cams and 1d racks so as to rotatethe allotted discs 1 only one direction, and tens transfer inecla smcontrolled by said cylinder and :22 ed to transfer the tens disc to thenext. In a machine of the character described, e combination of a hollowrotary printing cyiinae having an aperture in its periphery, a p ralityof numeral prin ng types move. le therein, a rotary counting 7 iceoutside are cylindercomprising numbered discs, a plurality of toothedracks allotted each to one of discs for rotating the same, a pluralityof setting members, one for each place value of the counting device, forselectively ett'ing the types individually in printing position in saidaperture, a plurality of cams on the periphery of said cylinder, one camallotted to and operatively connected to each setting member so as to beadjusted thereby corresponding to the value of the types at theaperture, means comprising levers, allotted. one to each cam and itsallotted r-clr, ar ranged to be actuated at each revolution of saidcylinder by said cams and shifting said racks so as to rotate the discsin only one direction, a second plurality of cams on the ,1- riphery ofsaid cylinder, tens transfer 1115.

ism controlled by the said second plurality of cams arr ed to transferthe tens from one disc to er and means controlled by the rotation of thecyi' der for di eng ing the racks from their al... ed discs twice achrevolution of the cylinder to permit them to return to their initialpesitiou.

4. In machine of the character described, tie combination of a hollowrotary printing cylinder having an aperture its periphery, a pluralityof numeral printing types movable therein, a rotary counting deviceoutside the cylinder compri Qizi bers, allotted one to each of saiddiscs, for selectively setting the types individually in printingposition in said aperture, a set of cams on the periphery of saidcylinder, which cams are allotted each to and operatively to a settingmember so as to be adjusted thereby corresponding to the types at theaperture, means arranged to be actuated at each revolution of thecylinder by said cams and reciprocate said racks and thereby rotate theallotted discs in only one direction by endwise movement of the racks inone direction, means comprising angle levers, each having an armengaging in a slot in one of said racks, for disengaging the latter fromthe discs when the racks move endwise in the other direction, whichangle levers serve each to lock the allotted disc when the racks aremoving endwise in the latter direction and are disengaged from thediscs, and tens transfer mechanism controlled by said cylinder andarranged to transfer the tens from one disc to the next.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 1, where- 'in the tens transfermechanism comprises a plurality of levers one less in number than thenumber of racks and allotted each to one of the racks except thatallotted to the disc of lowest place value, a plurality of tumblersallotted one to each lever and arranged operatively to connect thelatter with the allotted rack, and means for controlling each tumbler bya disc of next lower place value than that,

corresponding to the rack to which the tumbler is allotted and therebymaking and breaking the operative connection of said levers with theracks, which levers are arranged to be rocked by cams on the cylinderand thereby shift the racks endwise to rotate the discs when thetumblers are operative between the levers and the racks.

6. In a calculating machine, a settin up mechanism comprising aplurality of ars, a plurality of numbered types slidable longitudinallyand transversely of adjacent sets of said bars, means on which each ofsaid sets of types are mounted, the individual types being slidabletransversely of their respective means, a fixed cam member for forcing aselected one of each set of types into operable position, projectinglevers for actuating each of said means, said levers being normallyretracted, and means for forcing said levers into their projectedposition wherein they can be operated to set the said means.

In testimony whereof I affix my si ature. ULRICH KOHl'J ER.

